Good Things joins Virgin Media O2, Internet Matters and Action for Children in new online safety campaign

VMO2 launch Find The Right Words campaign

We've partnered with strategic partner Virgin Media O2 (VMO2), as well as online safety advice experts, Internet Matters and leading children’s charity Action for Children for a new online safety campaign. 

Find The Right Words helps parents and guardians talk to their children about online safety. It aims to empower parents so they can navigate difficult conversations about online safety and educate themselves about threats.

As well as a short film highlighting the difficulty parents face in explaining online risks to their children (watch the film on the side), VMO2 and the three charities have teamed up to create new, free resources to help families stay safe online. 

Parents and guardians want more support to keep kids safe online

The guides were created in response to new Hidden Risks research*, conducted by VMO2 and Internet Matters, after it revealed almost half (48%) of those surveyed want more support to keep their kids safe online. They provide advice for adults on how to have conversations with children and young people about staying safe online and information about online safety tools and controls. The resources are available at http://www.findtherightwords.uk/. 

The research surveyed more than 4,000 UK parents and carers of children. 

Shocking statistics revealed truth about how safe we feel online

Some of the shocking statistics the research revealed are:

• More than a quarter (26%) of parents and guardians surveyed say they aren’t confident² in protecting their children from deep fakes or other AI risks
• Almost a fifth (19%) noting they ‘don’t know’ what deepfakes are 
• 24% unsure of the potential threat deep fakes pose to their children 
• Almost half (45%) don’t know how to update privacy settings on social media⁴
• A further half (50%) are unable to change passwords to protect their children’s safety online⁵

The campaign is part of Virgin Media O2’s sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, and the company’s aim to improve the digital skills of six million people by the end of 2025. 

*Survey data:

The research was conducted by Censuswide with a sample of 2,014 UK parents (18+) of children aged 8-15. The survey fieldwork took place between 15.04.2024 - 19.04.2024. Additional research was further conducted by Censuswide with a sample of 2,001 UK parents with at least one child aged 8-15. This survey fieldwork took place between 31.05.2024 - 06.06.2024. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles and are members of The British Polling Council.

Polling Footnotes 

1 "Somewhat concerned” and “Very concerned” answers combined

2 "Somewhat unconfident” and “very unconfident” answers combined

3 "Somewhat more of a threat” and “much more of a threat” answers combined

4 Inverse of “Adjust privacy setting on social media”

5 Inverse of “Update passwords”

We're proud to support Find The Right Words

“We’re delighted to support Virgin Media O2 and Internet Matters’ Find the Right Words campaign, backed by Action for Children, and their new resources to help parents and guardians talk to their children about online safety. We need to make sure children and young people have the digital and critical thinking skills to keep themselves safe online - but supporting the adults who look after them is just as important. 

“Those looking for more support about staying safe online can visit a Digital Inclusion Hub, part of the National Digital Inclusion Network, for free digital skills training.”

- Helen Milner, OBE, Group CEO, Good Things Foundation

“As we head into the summer holidays - a period when we know children and young people are more likely to be online – we want to support parents and carers to have conversations about online safety.

“We know they’re not only worried about online harms like deepfakes, cyberbullying or inappropriate images or videos, but also unsure how to talk to their kids about it.

“With Virgin Media O2’s Find the Right Words campaign, we’re providing parents and guardians with the guidance, resources and support they need to take positive actions, like having open discussions about online safety with their children, and how to implement online safety controls.

“We’re proudly partnering with online safety experts, Internet Matters, and leading charities, Action for Children, and Good Things Foundation, to create a campaign that resonates with and reaches parents and carers across the UK.”

- Nicola Green, Chief Communications & Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2